I Only Haunt to Be with You

Mystic Mutt Mysteries #3

by Ellen Riggs

A psychic in training. A haunted café. And a chatty canine companion in crime-solving.

Janelle Brighton is starting to love Wyldwood Springs. Some local citizens would rather see her leave town—or the planet—but she’s there to stay. Her store, Whimsy, is everything she hoped and the “family” of friends she craved is growing. There’s even hope for a date with the handsome chief of police. When a new ghost dog arrives in town at the same time someone dies, however, life gets complicated fast. Her nemesis, Oscar Knight, may well be behind the murder, but why is his wife suddenly so chummy? On top of that, Janelle has come down with a dangerous malady courtesy of the Brighton matriarch. It’s enough to rattle any novice psychic, but Mr. Bixby, Janelle’s sassy canine sidekick, is ready for anything Wyldwood throws at them, whether it’s murder or magical hiccups.
Love your books with hounds, humor and homicide? Join psychic Janelle Brighton in the Mystic Mutts Mysteries, a lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery series featuring a saucy dachshund, several ghosts and murders to solve. Great for fans of funny, fast-paced cozy mysteries with animals.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. I started it a few weeks ago, lost it, and then picked it up so I got a little lost in the middle. Caught back up to the plot and really enjoyed the mystery and the "mutts" in the story. Look forward to the next book in the series!

Amazon synopsis:
Janelle Brighton is starting to love Wyldwood Springs. Some local citizens would rather see her leave town—or the planet—but she’s there to stay. Her store, Whimsy, is everything she hoped and the “family” of friends she craved is growing. There’s even hope for a date with the handsome chief of police.

When a new ghost dog arrives in town at the same time someone dies, however, life gets complicated fast. Her nemesis, Oscar Knight, may well be behind the murder, but why is his wife suddenly so chummy? On top of that, Janelle has come down with a dangerous malady courtesy of the Brighton matriarch.

It’s enough to rattle any novice psychic, but Mr. Bixby, Janelle’s sassy canine sidekick, is ready for anything Wyldwood throws at them, whether it’s murder or magical hiccups.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

In the lead-up to Ren’s bakery opening, Janelle and Mr. Bixby find another ghost dog, and Cousin Liberty standing over a body…
Those aren’t the only odd things in town, but Janelle isn’t sure why Oscar Knight’s wife is being friendly, or why Knight himself seems a little under the weather.

The third book in the series has some very intriguing twists: firstly with the Knights, and secondly with Drew. Alas, the romance is going slowly, very slowly (Ren’s one with Chef Ethan isn’t going any faster either), but Janelle does make some interesting new friends in this book, ones that might just be the key to survival in Wyldwood Springs!
It’s a great read, with a lovely cosy vibe and a dash of magic to boot. The canine companions are a hoot (or maybe a howl?), while Janelle’s magical issues are just as amusing.
Recommended for cosy paranormal mystery lovers, and dog lovers too.

[Pam Morarre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #3 in this fun series is another delightful story of rescued ghost dogs, good witches, and evil villains (some of whom are also witches). Janelle and her posse of canines, friends and relatives are up to their ears in excitement as Thanksgiving draws near, and the opening day for not only her best friend's bakery, but the reopening of their buddy Ethan's new, expanded version of his restaurant. New villains? It appears there might be a few, although they are mostly old news to Janelle from her childhood growing up in Wyldwood Springs. Could they be as evil as the old villains? For that matter are the old villains as evil as they were? And of course, there is a new ghost dog charming his way through the pages, as Janelle and company sleuth their way through the latest adventures in this charming, yet exciting, series.

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to deliver - another wonderful book. The wonderful crew of Janelle and Renata, with their dogs, are back again and facing more danger and puzzles! Janelle is working on her magic (with mixed results) and feisty Liberty is back with advice and spells. Also still on the scene are Oscar Knight and his wife Octavia. Oscar has convinced Valerie Fairchild to take over the Bean Café, but Valerie insists it's haunted and asks Janelle for help. Octavia is afraid for her dog's life ... and so the fun and excitement begin! Twists and turns of plot and investigation keep you on your toes and the pages flying! - I'm leaving this honest review after receiving an advance copy.

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Riggs' third book in the Mystic Mutt series is yet another awesome read. Janelle and friends are involved in another murder in Wyldwood Springs as well as having to deal with another ghost dog who appears soon after the corpse does. The storyline is full of fun and fast paced action as Janelle, Mr. Bixby and the rest of the gang try to stay one step ahead of the law and the bad guys. I could not put it down. If you like quirky characters, lots of non-stop action and hilarious drama, you'll love this one!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love all the amazing dogs in this series that help their humans, even if they’re still ghost dogs. The main characters all have formerly deceased dogs that picked out who their humans would be when they became living again. Like that adorable but sassy dachshund, Mr. Bixby.

I had no idea whodunit so I just sleuthed (and laughed) along with Janelle, Bixby and all their friends. The ending was very fitting to a wild and crazy case since Janelle and family were gonna be celebrating their Thanksgiving together.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Only Haunt to Be with You is awesome, fun and, I think, the best in the series so far. I love the comradery Janelle has with her friends. The banter between the dogs is witty and makes me smile. There are some interesting developments that I think bode well for future books. Once I start reading one of Ms. Riggs books nothing else is going to happen in my life until I am finished. I really enjoyed this face paced, well written book!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving this paranormal cozy series by the talented Ellen Riggs. Plus, there was only a short wait time between Book 2 and 3. The more Janelle and Mr. Bixby I can get the better. I’ve never met a funnier dachshund than Mr. Bixby. The book had several laugh-out-loud moments, with my favorite being in Chapter 14.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What another fantastic addition to this series. I’ve quickly fallen in love with these wonderful characters and look forward to each new book. This story gives us another mystery for Janelle to solve along with Mr. Bixby and her friends. Grab your copy and see who is murdered this time and why.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Sharron Fitak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another intriguing cozy mystery from Ellen Riggs

Ellen Riggs books show her love of animals, her creative imagination, and her belief that good triumphs over evil.
She writes books that grab you from the beginning and doesn't let go even at the end.
I don't believe her books are cliffhangers, but when each book is finished, I start looking for the next one.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy Paranormal Mystery

This is a cozy paranormal mystery that includes a foursome of magical dogs.
An English Setter is still a ghost along with a trio of converted dogs.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Carol Krout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously think this is the best one so far in the wonderful series.
Twists and turns galore.
Ghost dogs know who to look up for help so they can come back to help solve a mystery.
I just love the hiccups and sunflowers(giggle)
I received this ARC for an honest review .

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things are so tangled in this book and Ellen does a great job of keeping me guessing by the time you have the dog, Oscar Knight and his wife Octavia, and so many others. I really pulled for Janelle and her team but wasn't sure how everything would work out!

[K9stylist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too many characters to keep track of and they kept referring to other books in the series that I didn't read. This book definitely wasn't interesting enough for me to want to read any of the other books. It wasn't well written and really hard to believe so many people gave it 5 stars.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m normally into paranormal books but I love this series! Janelle has an unusual ability and who wouldn’t love someone who brought ghost dogs back to life and found them their perfect owners. The dogs talk and she can understand them, which can make for some very funny moments! So far she has brought back Bixby, her dachshund, Bijou, a small poodle, and Harold, her aunt Liberty’s Australian shepherd. This time she notices an English setter named Atticus who keeps knocking books off the shelves to get her attention. Of course there are plenty of other shenanigans going on in this magic-filled town, and Janelle and Bixby need to get them sorted! I received a free copy of this book from the author and write this review voluntarily.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Maisie Gledhill and why??? I enjoyed Atticus and his antics. They did save the day, didn’t they??? I also enjoyed this story and recommend the book.

[Ski Croghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooray for the ghost dogs!!

I luved this book! It was pretty awesome! I luved all the stuff about the ghost dogs! I liked the whitchy stuff too. It was fun to read.

[Alverda June Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than therapy.

Mr. Bixby and his other dog friends are my therapy. I love Ellen Riggs' books. They have thrilling stories and warm, fuzzy animals. What's not to love?

[Mary Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, fanciful cozy mystery

Looking forward to more books from this series! I've already become a big fan of this author and her animals. Good plans and characters.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book in the Mystic Mutt series by Ellen Riggs. I can't wait for the next book.

[Wanda Siesicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying reading this series. There is another dog that Janelle brought to life. Bixby, Janelle's dachshund, is a talkative little guy. He has opinions about everything and thinks he right all the time. I like that Ren's little white dog tells Bixby like she sees it and doesn't mind bringing Bixby down a few pegs. If you like a little magic but a lot of dogs, your going to love this series!

I offered my honest review for a free copy of this book!